Herb Gardening

The history of the herb garden:

Garden patches are usually dedicated for growing different types of vegetables, flowers, fruits and medicines. In the medieval world, there were a number of monks and nuns who acquired special medical knowledge. They indulged in the growth of the necessary herbs in specialist gardens or herb gardens to ensure the easy availability of the medicine components. The typical herbs grown include angelica, rosemary, sage, thyme, bay, dill and oregano. The advance of medical and botanical sciences during the renaissance witnessed the monastic herb gardens developing into a major investment. Herb gardens experienced a revival with the initiatives of a number of dedicated historians and horticulturists.

Modern herb gardens:

The modern herb gardens are sometimes purely functional and yet at times, just ornamental! Horticulturists now use the cultivation of herbs as part of a design in the containing boxes and raised garden beds. Today, the development and popularity of alternate medication are encouraging people to grow the herbs themselves, instead of buying them in dried variations from the market, especially if they are imported. The herb garden enables the owner to use fresh herbs, like in the treatment of bronchitis and acne. Herbs are not at all troublesome to grow and the overlap between herbs that thrive in outdoor gardens versus those that thrive inside is taken care of in the presence of proper care.

Herb gardening care:

Herbs are very easy to grow. If they are potted or planted in the proper soil, they can thrive with little or no additional support. In fact, it is interesting to note that herbs do well in earth that would be considered poor for other plants! Herb gardening care rarely involves a regular supply of fertilizer of any kind. Herbs are known to be drought tolerant and re-growth is as good as a part of their life. This is the main reason why it is very easy to pick herbs for the outdoors and some for the living room or deck. Certain herbs and their potting requirements are given below for consideration and to understand the truth behind the claim that herbs are easy to tend to.

Bay Laurel:

Bay Laurel is a herb from the Mediterranean and thrives in sunshine and dry weather conditions. This herb can be planted indoors or outdoors, with good drainage if it is being potted. You need to fill a pot with pre-dampened soil. Ensure that the container chosen is large enough to prevent a root bound condition. Initially, the herb needs to be placed in an area where the sapling will get 6 hours per day or more of sun.

Chives:

Chives thrive in a pot, as well as in a regular herb garden patch. The herb soak up heat and sprouts beyond a foot. In time, the plant bears beautiful purple flowers. Chive saplings need to be potted bunched together. When clipping, you need to clip the leaves near the base.

Parsley:

Parsley is an excellent indoor herb. This herb needs to be potted to sustain it year after year. It is much easier to grow parsley from plants rather than seeds. New leaves grow from the center and hence when trimming, you need to trim the outer leaves to keep the plant healthy.

Lavender:

Lavender needs to stay on the plant till the time for the potpourri or perfume preparation is at hand. Lavender makes great ground cover and imparts a lovely fragrance to the existing garden that completely complements the beautiful pinkish-purple flowers. This herb requires very little care, except for well drained soil.

The herbs can be grown even in a small plot of 4 by 6 feet. Other than cooking and for medicinal properties, the herbs are also grown for the pleasant aromatic foliage and the beauty of the flowers. Herbs are liberally used to garnish salads and perk up flavors of vegetables and meat.